"The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited" coming to Peoria!

The Peoria Riverfront Museum will be the next stop for "The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited."

This stop will be the multimedia exhibitions last American appearance before embarking on a European tour.

"The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited" spotlights the career of the late puppeteer and filmmaker, who developed the Muppets for Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and directed Labyrinth.

The exhibition features Muppets, puppets, photographs, TV and film clips, behind-the-scenes footage and interactive puppeteering experiences, the museum said in a news release.

Peoria Riverfront Museum will host "The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited"
Sept. 28 - January 5, 2025.

New Loungefly Hot Topic Exclusive Miss Piggy Mini Backpack and Coin Pouch!

Loungefly released two new exclusive Miss Piggy items - a fuzzy mini backpack and matching coin pouch. Each sold separately and exclusively at Hot Topic.

Loungefly Disney The Muppets Miss Piggy Fuzzy Mini Backpack

There is no one on the planet to compare with moi.

Stand out and turn heads in the most fashionable way with this glamorous mini backpack! It's designed just like Miss Piggy from The Muppets, with fuzzy detailing all over. Comes with an interior drop pocket and adjustable straps.

Loungefly Disney The Muppets Miss Piggy Fuzzy Mini Coin Pouch

Stand out and turn heads in the most fashionable way with this glamorous mini coin pouch! It's designed just like Miss Piggy from The Muppets, with fuzzy detailing all over. Top zipper closure.

Both the Loungefly Miss Piggy Mini Backpack and Coin Pouch are available now at the links above exclusively at Hot Topic!

NECA Announces TWO Dinosaurs Earl Variant Action Figures!

NECA Announced two new version's of their Dinosaurs Earl action figures are on the way - a convention exclusive "Captain Impressive" and a WESAYSO version.

The details for both figures are below:

Dinosaurs- 7” Scale Action Figure - Earl Sinclair "Captain Impressive" (SDCC 2024)

The Sinclairs are your average family with one BIG difference… they’re talking dinosaurs living in the year 60,000,003 BC! Jim Henson’s creatures for Dinosaurs made this early ‘90s show a comedy hit that’s still certifiably fresh.

Now you can fight for truth, justice, and the Pangaean way with this Captain Impressive Earl Sinclair action figure by NECA! This 2024 Con Exclusive is based on the dino patriarch’s superhero persona from the classic Season 4 episode, “Earl, Don’t Be a Hero.”

After falling into a glowing lake of toxic waste, Earl discovers that he has superpowers! However, it turns out that his employer, the WESAYSO Corp, owns the rights to the toxic waste, and thus, Captain Impressive becomes a corporate merchandising opportunity. 

This 7-inch scale action figure is fully articulated (including tail) and includes soft goods tailored costume, wired cape, interchangeable heads and hands, and trachea plug accessory! Comes in collector-friendly window box packaging.

Below is a clip from the episode:

Dinosaurs- 7” Scale Action Figure - Ultimate Earl Sinclair WESAYSO

This 7” scale Earl Sinclair action figure is ready for work at WESAYSO! 

The figure is fully articulated (including tail) and packed with accessories: includes interchangeable heads, interchangeable gloved hands, “WESAYSO” hard hat, lunchbox, little buddies, cans and soft goods work shirt. Collector-friendly window box packaging with opening front flap.

The Dinosaurs- 7” Scale Action Figure - Earl Sinclair "Captain Impressive" (SDCC 2024) Con Exclusive Presale runs from June 26th- June 28th on the NECAstore.com. 

While the Dinosaurs- 7” Scale Action Figure - Ultimate Earl Sinclair WESAYSO is coming soon to Target and most NECA retailers!

Muppet Stuff - "Jim Henson Idea Man" Review!

Join me as I talk about Ron Howard's documentary Jim Henson Idea Man as well as Disney+'s promotion for the documentary and their Muppet Collection.

 

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

Be sure to check out more videos on our Youtube Channel.

Breaking News: Henson Co Selling Historic Chaplin Studios!

According to The Wrap, The Jim Henson Company is in the process of selling their iconic Lot previously known as A&M Studios and before that Charlie Chaplin Studios.

From the article: 

According to the company, the sale is “part of a much longer-term strategy to have The Jim Henson Company and our renowned Burbank-based Jim Henson’s Creature Shop under one roof, which is not feasible in Hollywood due to the space the Shop requires.” 

At the time that the family acquired the lot, Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, described the space as a “lovable hodge-podge of quirky, unusual spaces. There are unexpected elements in some of the offices, like original vaults and fish-tank-like bathrooms. It’s not your typical corporate space, but it’s ideal for the Muppets.”

The lot doubled as The Muppets Studio in 2011's The Muppets and has become a key part of the company’s Puppet Up! live show, which takes place in one of the soundstages.

You can watch a tour of the Henson lot below:

The lot has been the headquarters of the Jim Henson Company since 2000 and the company intends to continue as a tenant at the La Brea location for the foreseeable future.

"Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert" Coming to 30 Cities this Fall!

For the first time ever Labyrinth will be accompanied by a live band on stage with “Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert.”

The 30-city North American tour launches on Jim Henson’s birthday, September 24.

The loyal and steadfast cult following of "Labyrinth" has grown for nearly 40 years since the film’s theatrical release on June 27, 1986. Audiences are invited to experience an epic evening as the movie is presented on a large HD cinema screen. On stage, a live band will perform in sync with Bowie’s original vocals, playing the songs and the score from the soundtrack composed by Bowie and Trevor Jones.

 See a trailer for the show below:

“Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert” producer Black Ink Presents, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is known for its extensive history of breathing new life into iconic films with symphonies, orchestras, or bands live on stage, including Batman, Ghostbusters, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Rocketman, La La Land, and more. “I have always been a huge fan of the groundbreaking collaboration of Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, and Trevor Jones on this film, and bringing it to fans in a live concert screening experience is a dream come true,” says John Kinsner, CEO of Black Ink Presents. “Getting to hear Bowie’s vocals with a live band while watching the film is sure to give every 'Labyrinth' fan goosebumps.”

“It’s always incredible when the amazing fans of Jim Henson’s 'Labyrinth' come together to watch (and rewatch!) this beloved fantasy adventure,” says Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President of Branding for The Jim Henson Company. “With ‘Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert,’ we are welcoming loyal and new fans to the world of the Goblin King, and celebrating the incredible music of David Bowie and Trevor Jones in a whole new way. It is certain to be a ‘Magic Dance!’”

Starring Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, as well as scores of goblins and creatures from the renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, the film features a soundtrack of unique and memorable melodies, with Bowie's original songs like “Magic Dance,” “Underground” and “As the World Falls Down,” along with Jones' orchestral score. The collaboration between Bowie and Jones provides an enchanting and distinctive musical experience, perfectly capturing the whimsical and fantastical elements of the film and contributing to its lasting acclaim and popularity.

“Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert” tour schedule includes (subject to change):

DATE | CITY | VENUE

September 24 | Morgantown, WV | Metropolitan Theatre  

September 25 | Reading, PA | Santander PAC
September 26 | Glenside, PA | Keswick Theatre
September 27 | York, PA | Pullo Center
September 28 | Concord, NH | Capitol Center for the Arts
September 29 | Mississauga, ON, Canada | Living Arts Centre
October 1 | Rutland, VT | Paramount Theatre
October 2 | Medford, MA | Chevalier Theatre
October 3 | Patchogue, NY | Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
October 5 | Munhall, PA | Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
October 7 | Cleveland, OH | Agora Theatre
October 8 | Louisville, KY | Louisville Palace
October 9 | Columbus, OH | KEMBA Live
October 10 | Lexington, KY | Lexington Opera House
October 11 | Indianapolis, IN | Murat Theatre
October 12 | Detroit, MI | Masonic Cathedral Theatre
October 13 | Milwaukee, WI | Pabst Theater
October 14 | Cincinnati, OH | Taft Theatre
October 16 | Saint Paul, MN | Fitzgerald Theater
October 17 | Waukegan, IL | Genesee Theatre
October 18 | Kansas City, MO | Uptown Theater
October 19 | Omaha, NE | Holland Center
October 21 | Dallas, TX | Majestic Theater
October 22 | New Orleans, LA | Orpheum Theater
October 23 | Atlanta, GA | The Eastern
October 24 | Jacksonville, FL | Florida Theatre
October 25 | Orlando, FL | Plaza Live
October 26 | Clearwater, FL | Ruth Eckerd Hall
October 27 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | The Parker

Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 21. 

For tour dates, tickets, VIP packages and more information, visit www.labyrinthinconcert.com.

New Henson CG/Live- Action Series "Adrenaline Lemming" On The Way!

The Jim Henson Company and The Operating Room, a Los Angeles based independent animation production company, are teaming up to develop Adrenaline Lemmings a new CG/live- action hybrid series 

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 12, 2024 – The Jim Henson Company, an established leader in innovative and iconic entertainment, and The Operating Room, a Los Angeles based independent animation production company, are teaming up to develop a new CG/live- action hybrid series Adrenaline Lemmings, created by Alex Orrelle (Klaus, The Incredibles, Space Jam: A New Legacy), David M. Israel (Dynasty, 3rd Rock from the Sun, About a Boy), and Oded Turgeman (Summer Memories, Hawkmaster).

Adrenaline Lemmings features four high-octane, stunt-loving Alaskan Lemmings who accidentally crash-land in the big city. While training for an X-Games-style competition where their danger-defying skills could earn them a trip back home, they learn to thrive in this unfamiliar environment and embrace its unusual animal society. The series is based on animated shorts by Alex Orrelle and J. P. Vine (Ron’s Gone Wrong, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur).

“We here at The Jim Henson Company have a special affinity for wild, subversive, and hilarious animal characters that both resonate with kid audiences and inspire them to leap outside their comfort zones to embrace new experiences,” said Halle Stanford,

President of Television at The Jim Henson Company. “Adrenaline Lemmings allows us to branch out in older kids’ animation with an exciting live action/CG hybrid look and do ‘daring’ physical character comedy for kids, in the tradition of some of our company’s best-known productions.”

“It was a childhood dream of mine to work with The Jim Henson Company, and as an adult it has been a goal of mine to work with Halle Stanford and her team. I’m so happy that the Lemmings have made it happen. I believe that our band of radical Lemmings will reach the hearts of kids all over the world,” said Turgeman, who is also President of The Operating Room. “We are thrilled to collaborate with The Jim Henson Company on Adrenaline Lemmings and look forward to turning these daring and quirky characters into a successful franchise together,” added Roby Freireich, Founder and Partner of The Operating Room.

Adrenaline Lemmings is a co-production of The Jim Henson Company and The Operating Room, with Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford executive producing for The Jim Henson Company, and Oded Turgeman and Roby Freireich for The Operating Room. The series is being developed for episodic television by Emmy and Golden Globe winner David M. Israel and Oded Turgeman.

About The Jim Henson Company

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 65 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company’s most recent credits include the Oscar®-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix, the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV+, and the feature film The Portable Door for MGM+. The Company is currently in post-production on a new reimagining of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day starring Eva Longoria and Cheech Marin for Disney+. Other television credits include Slumberkins, Harriet the Spy and Fraggle Rock: Rock On, all for Apple TV+, Word Party for Netflix, Earth to Ned for Disney+, and the Emmy-winning Netflix Original series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Other TV productions include Dinosaur Train (PBS), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Sid the Science Kid (PBS), and Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), as well as Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, and the sci-fi series Farscape. Feature film credits include The Star (Sony Pictures Animation), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Disney), and the ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth.

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and post- production facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment.

The Company’s Henson Alternative credits include the feature film The Happytime Murders, and the popular live puppet improvisational show Puppet-Up! – Uncensored.

 

About The Operating Room

The Operating Room is a production company specializing in developing animated projects with franchise and licensing potential. We are passionate about bringing great stories and compelling characters to audiences worldwide. The company’s diverse slate includes projects for kids, families and adults. Our current projects include Hawkmaster which is being developed at FOX with the Oscar-winning director of PIXAR’s Brave, Mark Andrews; Stuffed, a kids’ adventure series based on a popular web comic by Erik McCurdy; and several other animated projects. The company was founded in 2007 by Oded Turgeman and Roby Freireich.

 

Oded Turgeman currently has several projects in development as President and Partner of the Operating Room, including Hawkmaster at FOX, where he is Executive Producer and collaborating with Oscar-winning Director of PIXAR’s Brave, Mark Andrews; and Polarizers at Epic Story Media, which he created as well as is producing. He most recently Executive Produced Summer Memories with Wild Brain. Prior to his work at The Operating Room, Oded graduated from the AFI Directors Program. He is represented by manager Ryan Saul at The Cartel.

 

Roby Freireich is a Partner and Managing Director at The Operating Room. He is a successful entrepreneur with decades of business experience. At The Operating Room, he is the chief deal maker and has been responsible for closing deals with both entertainment industry giants and talented creatives. Roby is also attached to produce many of The Operating Room’s projects.

He is a founding partner in a stealth feature-focused animation studio venture based in Northern California, as well. Prior to his work at The Operating Room, Roby founded and built a global manufacturing and distribution company which became one of the fasting growing private companies in the US; with offices in Southern California, Hong Kong, and China. His customers included some of America’s largest retailers and major customers in over 40 countries worldwide. Roby received his MBA from the University of Southern California, and his undergraduate computer science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 

David M. Israel is an Emmy and Golden Globe winning television Writer/Producer/Showrunner who wrote and produced the dark comedies Dynasty for CW/Netflix for 4 seasons and UnREAL for Lifetime/Hulu for 2 seasons. Before that, he wrote and produced the half-hour comedies About a Boy, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life and The Tracy Morgan Show, which he co-created and was Co-Showrunner. Before that, he was a Writer/Producer/Editor for Major League Baseball Productions in NY. He is a Partner and EVP Content at The Operating Room. David is a graduate of Syracuse University.

For more information, please visit www.theoperatingroom.com

Ron Howard Promotes Jim Henson Idea Man!

 Ron Howard recently made the rounds promoting Jim Henson Idea Man. 

There were print interviews with Nerdist and the LA Times as well as video interviews with a variety of media outlets. 

Good Morning America:
 

The View:
 

Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend:  

SoundWorks Collection:  

Concerts & Conversations:
Ron Howard, Margaret Bodde, Paul Crowder, and David Fleming:

  

Gold Derby:

 

Jim Henson: Idea Man is streaming now on Disney+.

Disney Parks' The Great Gonzo "It’s Showtime Poster" Pin!

Disney Parks has a new addition to their "It’s Showtime Posters" pin series featuring The Great Gonzo.

The pin is a limited edition of 3,000 and as of now, it's only available in the parks and not online.

The Season Keepers, A New Henson Modern-Day "climate hope' Animated Fairytale Series, On The Way!

The Jim Henson Company and Paramount’s Ananey Studios are producing a new new 2D animated series The Season Keepers that aims give kids and families “climate hope.” 

The Jim Henson Company and Paramount’s Ananey Studios are introducing “climate hope” with The Season Keepers, a new 2D animated series for kids ages 6-12 and their families.

This modern-day fairy tale is inspired by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and welcomes viewers to connect to nature through a fantastical story filled with magical creatures. Twins Lia and Ben find their world and family unraveling when their parents’ divorce sends them to their grandmother’s small village for what’s sure to be a snooze-fest of a spring holiday. Little do they know, they’ve landed in the middle of an epic battle between the seasons, where Lia discovers her gift to mediate between humans and The Nature Makers—a realm of magical creatures who are the guardians of nature itself. Lia must harness newfound powers and solidify her sibling bond with Ben to mend family rifts, save their grandmother from an eternal slumber, and stop a group of vengeful Nature Makers from plunging the world into a perpetual winter.

Frequent Henson collaborator Craig Bartlett (Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid) is attached as writer for the development of the series.

“From the minute Hila, Gili, and Shirley shared with us Bosmat Agayoff’s gorgeous designs for her creation The Season Keepers, we knew this was the next fantasy world we wanted to explore at The Jim Henson Company,” said Halle Stanford, President of Television at The Jim Henson Company. “At its heart, The Season Keepers is about the healing of a family and of the natural world around them. And this series about climate hope is wrapped up in a luxurious whimsical world filled with magical and never-before-seen creatures. To work with this extraordinary creative team from Israel is an honor; and then handing the story reigns over to Craig Bartlett ensures this adventure will captivate kids for generations.”

“We couldn’t be more excited about joining forces with the legendary Jim Henson Company, responsible for some of the most loved and known kids shows. In this modern-day animated fairytale, a breathtaking journey will intertwine magic, adventure, and heart to inspire young viewers everywhere,” said Orly Atlas-Katz, CEO Ananey Paramount & EVP Paramount Israel

The Season Keepers is created and designed by Bosmat Agayoff (Where is Anne Frank?, Barbie Dreamtopia). Gili Dolev will direct the series. Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford will serve as executive producers for The Jim Henson Company and Orly Atlas-Katz will serve as executive producer for Ananey Studios. Gili Dolev, Hila Pachter, and Shirley Oran will also serve as executive producers.

No release day has been announced, but we'll keep you posted as more details emerge.

First Look: Funko Pop Kermit with Mug and Urdu Mystery Plush!

It appears some new Kermit items are on the way!

The image above was posted on social media over the weekend and as you can see Funko is planning a new Kermit Pop figure featuring a scrunchy face Kermit holding his monogramed mug.

The box reveals that it's a continuation of their POP! Muppets line and features the updated Muppet logo. 

The photo also shows a selection of mini Kermit plush wearing shirts with different words on them

Some are generic, like "Cool", while others are more Kermit specific like, "Yaaaaay!!!"

These look to be blind boxed mystery plush by Udru. The boxes can be seen in the photo as well.

No word on release dates yet, but we reached out to our contacts for additional information. 

The Muppets Magnet Set: Welcome Everybody!

Your refrigerator is about to get a bit more Muppety as RP Minis releases a new Muppet Magnet set.

Put on your very own show and hang out with Kermit the Frog and the rest of The Muppets with this collectible character magnet set. Unique Magnet Set: 25 full-color magnets of The Muppets including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and more, as well as a two-sided illustrated backdrop to build your own scenes.

Illustrated Mini Book: Includes a full-color 32-page miniature book of Muppet profiles and character art.

The Perfect Gift for Muppet Fans: Anyone who loves the Muppets will enjoy creating their own scenes with this magnet set on any magnetic surface.

 

Officially Licensed: An authentic The Muppets product.

As you can see the set not only includes the usual characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and Gonzo, but also Rowlf, Scooter, Stater & Waldorf, Sam Eagle, Bunsen, Beaker, Robin, The Swedish Chef, Rizzo, Pepe, Uncle Deadly, and the entire Electric Mayhem: Dr. Teeth, Animal, Floyd, Janice, Zoot, and Lips!

These appear to new illustrations and the box has the updated Muppet logo on it. 

Speaking of the box  - if you're looking for it in stores it'll be very small. The dimensions are 2.88 x 1.95 x 3.25 inches.

The Muppets Magnet Set: Welcome Everybody! will be released on October 22. 

You can usually find these type of mini products near the checkout isle at Barnes & Noble and you can also pre-order it from Amazon.

Note: We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Muppet Stuff- Sesame Place: Classic Characters and "Bucket" List Items!

Join me and my guest "Krazy Joe" as we look for Classic Character plush and "BUCKET" list items at Sesame Place.

 

You can follow "Krazy Joe" here.

Info about Sesame Place Be sure to check out more videos on our Youtube Channel.

Sesame Street Headed to Paris!

Our Sesame Street friends are heading to Paris this summer for the Olympics. 

Sesame will create "Bespoke Illustrations to be Featured Across Its Social Platforms Promoting NBCU’s Coverage of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and Paris Olympics"

STAMFORD, Conn. and NEW YORK, N.Y. – June 6, 2024 – NBCUniversal is teaming up with Sesame Street to bring Elmo and his friends to Paris as part of its comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 this summer. The announcement was made this morning when Cookie Monster appeared on TODAY.

Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and Tango will be featured in activations across Sesame Street’s social media platforms leading into and during the Games, including the U.S. Olympic Team Trials and the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The pre-Games activations will feature beloved Sesame Street muppets in bespoke illustrations detailing their hot air balloon journey from Sesame Street across the Atlantic Ocean to Paris. Following their arrival in Paris, NBCU will incorporate the Sesame team into its comprehensive social and broadcast coverage surrounding the Games.

“Elmo, Cookie Monster and the Muppets of Sesame Street are some of the most beloved characters in American culture,” said Lyndsay Signor, SVP, Consumer Engagement, NBC Sports. “The Olympics and Sesame Street both have broad appeal and reach across all ages and backgrounds, and we can’t wait to see Elmo and his friends in Paris this Summer in support of our Olympic coverage. P.S., Cookie Monster – we’ll be sure to have some macarons waiting for you!”

“Sesame Street, the Olympics, and NBC are all cultural touchstones and we are excited to join NBC Sports’ exemplary coverage of the Olympics,” said Samantha Maltin, EVP, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, Sesame Workshop. “The Olympics celebrates the best in sportsmanship and promotes kindness and respect, traits that are central to our mission to help children grow smarter, stronger, and kinder to build a better world. Bringing Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby, and Tango to Paris will provide fun, entertaining, and enriching content for viewers of all generations.”

“Elmo is very excited to go to Paris to cheer on all the athletes at the Olympics,” said Elmo. “And Elmo is also excited to do a little sightseeing. Elmo can’t wait to get an eyeful of the Tower. Get it? Eyeful Tower! Hee hee hee. Paris, here we come! Gooooo teams!”

“Me love sports almost as much as me love cookies!” added Cookie Monster. “Me so excited about all da events, but especially da discus throw. Dat one really look delicious.”

“I just can’t wait to get to Paree! (That’s how you pronounce it, Elmo.) It’s going to be MAGICAL!” said Abby.

You can watch Cookie Monster on TODAY here.

NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics runs Fri, Jul 26 – Sun, Aug 11.